Clip for securing hot top lining slabs

ABSTRACT

A clip for holding a hot top liner in place within a hot top casing. The clip has an annular, preferably rectangular, configuration, and includes at least one deformable section so that the size of the annulus may be changed. For example, the annulus may be formed of two L-shaped members arranged to form a rectangle, each end of each member being deformed inwardly at a 45* angle, and with adjacent end portions of the two L-shaped members overlapping each other in spaced apart relationship. A deformable link is attached to each of the adjacent end portions of the two L-shaped members, and is oriented at an angle of less than 90* relative to the end portions.

Elnited ttes Patet 1191 McCray 51 22, 1973 541 CLIP FOR SECURING HOT TOP 1,998,898 4 1935 Konkel 287/l89.35 LINING SLABS 3,362,677 1/1968 Folberth ..249/202 [75] Inventor: Walter A. McCray, Berea, Ohio Primary Examiner Robert D Baldwin [73] Assignee: Foseco International Ltd., Bir- Attorney-Wolfe, Hubbard, Leydig, Voit & Osann mingharn, England 22 Filed: June 9, 1971 [57] ABSTRACT [211 Appl No; 151,499 A clip for holding a hot top liner in place within a hot top casmg. The chp has an annular, preferably rectangular, configuration, and includes at least one [52] U.S. Cl ..249/202 deformable section so that the ize of the annulus may [51] Int. Cl. ..B22d 7/10 be changed For example, the annulus may be formed of Search of two L haped members arranged to form a rectan- 5 3 3 1 239, 287/18935; gle, each end of each member being deformed in- 24/261 R wardly at a 45 angle, and with adjacent end portions of the two L-shaped members overlapping each other [56] References cued in spaced apart relationship. A deformable link is at- UNITED STATES PATENTS tached to each of the adjacent end portions of the two L-shaped members, and 1s orlented at an angle of less 484,459 10/1892 Reynolds ..24/261 R than 90 relative to the end portions. 828,931 8/1906 Cummings... .287/l89.35 X 1,805,797 8/1931 Bates ..287/l89.35 X 4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTED HAY 22 I975 SHEET 2 OF 2 FIGS I CLIP FOR SECURING HOT TOP LINING SLABS This invention relates to securing hot top lining slabs in position, and to a clip for effecting this.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART In the casting of molten metals to form ingots it is common practice to line the head of the ingot mould, or a superimposed head box thereon, with slabs of exothermic or heat-insulating material. These slabs serve to delay the loss of heat from the ingot heat metal, thus keeping it molten and allowing molten metal flow to compensate for shrinkage in the body of the ingot as it solidifies. The assembly of such slabs is known as a hot top.

The slabs are positioned in the mould head or head box prior to teeming molten metal into the mould. During teeming the molten metal level rises inside the slabs to a height of usually a few inches only below the upper edges of the slabs. Prior to teeming, it is often the case that the mould and lining must be transported some distance between a hot top lining station and the teeming station. Both such transport and the subsequent teeming of molten metal tend to dislodge the hot top from its position, and it is thus important to ensure the hot top slabs are fixed in position securely, e.g. by clips, tierods or the like. In particular, the slabs must be firmly adjacent the mould or head box wall to avoid molten metal penetrating behind the slab and forcing it away from the wall.

In the past many different systems and devices have been suggested for holding the hot top in position, but most have been cumbersome, expensive and difficult to use. No one method has gained any widespread acceptance. Recently it has been realized that a disadvantage of many prior art hot top clips was that they tended to hold only the upper regions of each hot top slab onto the mould or head box, leaving the lower edge free. This tends to give rise to finning of cast metal, which is undesirable, and the difficulties are particularly pronounced in the case of big-end-down ingot moulds.

A further difficulty is that in many instances the hot top needs to be positioned at different levels within the mould to accommodate the need for ingots of different weights. Hot top clips are limited in the number of teeming levels at which they will effectively secure the hot top. In many cases, clips of different sizes are necessary to cater for different teeming levels in the same size mould.

OBJECTS OF THIS INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a hot top clip for securely holding the lower portions of a set of hot top lining slabs or a unitary lining in position.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a clip for the purpose just set forth which is easily handled and put to use, but which is at the same time cheaply and robustly made.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a hot top clip which functions satisfactorily independently of its vertical position in the mould.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION These and other objects are fulfilled by my novel hot top clip which consists of a ring of wire, strip or the like which corresponds in shape to the section of the hot top lining which it is to be used to secure. The clip is generally in the form of a polygon with an even number of sides, and having at at least two opposite corners, deformable zigzag sections such that, when the sections are deformed, for example by means of a turnkey, the ring is permanently expanded in size. The clip may also be in the form of a ring, with one or more zigzag sections in its periphery. In use a set of hot top lining slabs, or a unitary sleeve is positioned about the walls of the mould or head box, and the hot top clip of this invention then inserted into the desired position. In that position, the zigzag sections at the two corners are deformed to increase the size of the ring and so urge the ring against the hot top lining slabs, thereby to urge the lining slabs securely against the mould or head box wall.

The hot top clip of this invention may be made of any suitable material. I prefer to use steel wire bent to shape, the zigzag sections preferably being formed of wire of somewhat thinner gauge than the remainder of the clip to allow of their easy deformation. If the walls of the mould or head box to be lined are corrugated, then the hot top clip may be provided with similar corrugations, the better to press the hot top lining against the wall.

In particular, my invention resides in a hot top clip of substantially rectangular configuration formed of two L-shaped members arranged to form a rectangle, the each end portion of each L-shape being deformed inwardly at an angle of substantially 45, adjacent end portions of the two L-shaped members lying in parallel spaced apart relationship, and a deformable link rigidly attached to each of the said adjacent end portions, the link running at an angle of less than (e.g. substantially 45) to the outer end portion, measuring from the side of that end portion nearer the respective L-shaped member. In this connection, the angle of substantially 45 for deformation of the L-shaped member is not critical. Satisfactory clips can be produced with angles of 3555 for deformation of the L-shaped members, through angles of 40-50 generally give better results.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 shows in plan view a hot top clip according to this invention,

FIG. 2 shows a turnkey for use in expanding the clip of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3, shows a clip in expanded position, and

FIG. 4 shows a clip in use in an ingot mould, in partly broken away perspective view.

FIG. 5 shows a clip for use in a square or circular mould, and

FIG. 6 shows a clip for use in a corrugated mould.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a clip for use with a hot top lining in a rectangular section big-end-down ingot mould of head size 27 X 24 inches. The clip consists of two identical L-shaped members 10, each of which is made of steel wire of diameter 0.1 to 0.25 inch, and two comer S-shaped pieces of 0.15 0.20 inch diameter steel wire 12 each welded to each member 10 at two points. The exact shape of pieces 12 is not material, but they must, together with the adjacent ends of members it), constitute a zigzag section, in order than when pieces 12 are deformed the size of the ring formed by members 10 and 12 increases.

For deforming the pieces 12, a turnkey 14 is provided, consisting of a shaft 16, handle 18 and head 20 as shown in FIG. 2. The size of head 20 is such that the key can be placed over wire piece 12, this piece fitting into the slot 22 in head 20. Then, by axial rotation of shaft 16, the wire 12 may be deformed.

In use, the ingot mould may be lined with four slabs or refractory heat-insulating material (e.g. of the type described in US. Pat. Nos. 25,915 and 25,905), the upper edges of these slabs being held in place by any convenient means. Either four generally rectangular slabs may be used or two L-shaped slabs of flexible heat-insulating material may be used, each lining two walls of the mould. Alternatively, a single piece lining may be used, as shown at 28 in FIG. 4, which is vertically positioned by Z-shaped ties 25. The clip of FIG. 1 is then inserted end wise into the mould, turned and brought up horizontally to a level a little above the lower edges of theslabs. Turnkey 14 is then placed with its head 20 over pieces 12, and turned anticlockwise, seen from above. This deforms the pieces 12 as shown in FIGS. 3 and thus expanding the ring to hold the lining slabs firmly against the ingot mould wall. In FIG. 4, the far corner 30 of the clip has been expanded, while the near corner is about to be expanded, by rotation of turnkey 14 as shown by the arrows.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a clip for use with a hot top lining in a square section big-end-down ingot mould of head size 22 X 22 inches. Such section, though square in shape has sweeping corner radii so as to create near circular shape. The clip consists of one circular-shaped member 38 with ends overlapping one another, made of steel wire 0.2 to 0.25 inch and one S- shaped piece of 0.15 0.20 inch diameter wire 32 welded to member 38 at two points. When piece 32 is deformed the size of the ring formed by members 32 and 38 increases.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a clip for use with a hot top lining in a rectangular section big-end-down ingot mould of head size 19 X 21 inches. The ingot mould interior, though rectangular in section contains flutes or corrugations in the interior wall surface. The clip consists of two identical L-shaped members 34, which members have projections 36 which correspond to the flutes in the mould walls, which members are made of steel wire 0.2 to 0.25 inch diameter and two corner S-shaped pieces 0.15 to 0.20 inch diameter wire 32 welded to member 34 at two points. When pieces 32 are deformed the size of the ring formed by pieces 34 and 32 increases and applies pressure at predetermined points in the hot top lining.

I claim as my invention:

1. A hot top clip of substantially rectangular configuration formed of two L-shaped members arranged to form a rectangle, each end portion of each L-shape being deformed inwardly at an angle of substantially 45, adjacent end portions of the two L-shaped members lying in parallel spaced apart relationship, and a deformable link rigidly attached to each of the said adjacent portions, the link running at an-angle of less than to the outer end portion, measuring from the side of that end portion nearer the respective L-shaped member.

2. A hot top clip according to claim 1 wherein the said link running angle is substantially 45.

3. The hot top clip of claim 1 wherein said L-shaped members are formed of steel wire.

4. The hot top clip of claim 1 wherein said L-shaped members are formed of wire and said deformable links are formed at least in part of wire of thinner gauge than that of said L-shaped members.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Certificate Patent No. 3,7 34,454 Patented May 22, 1973 Walter A. McCray Application having been made by Walter A. McCray, the inventor named in the patent above identified, and Foseco International, Ltd., the assignee, for the issuance of a certificate under the provisions of Title 35, Section 256, of the United States Code, adding the name of William M. Folberth J r., as a joint inventor, and a showing and proof of facts satisfying the requlrements of the said section having been submitted, it is this 22nd day of October 1974, certified that the name of the said William M. Folberth, J r., is hereby added to the said patent as a joint inventor with the said Walter A. McCray.

FRED W. SHERLING, Associate Solicitor. 

1. A hot top clip of substantially rectangular configuration formed of two L-shaped members arranged to form a rectangle, each end portion of each L-shape being deformed inwardly at an angle of substantially 45*, adjacent end portions of the two L-shaped members lying in parallel spaced apart relationship, and a deformable link rigidly attached to each of the said adjacent portions, the link running at an angle of less than 90* to the outer end portion, measuring from the side of that end portion nearer the respective L-shaped member.
 2. A hot top clip according to claim 1 wherein the said link running angle is substantially 45*.
 3. The hot top clip of claim 1 wherein said L-shaped members are formed of steel wire.
 4. The hot top clip of claim 1 wherein said L-shaped members are formed of wire and said deformable links are formed at least in part of wire of thinner gauge than that of said L-shaped members. 